Whether it is by scaling a mountainside rock face or conquering an indoor boulder route, NPHS’ rock climbers work to improve their technique in this unique, collaborative sport. A diverse sport, styles of rock climbing vary based on the height of the rock wall as well as the techniques and equipment used. Top roping refers to climbing where a rope is anchored to the top of a rock face, either indoors or outdoors. Bouldering is climbing smaller rocks without ropes, and instead, a mat to catch climbers if they fall.
Bouldering offers climbers an accessible way to hone their skills without requiring belayers, harnesses, or ropes. Eliza Paris, junior, likes bouldering because of the freedom it offers her. “I think that it’s less stressful because it’s fully individual, and you don’t need someone else to belay you. You can [also] try things over and over again without getting as tired as top rope,” Paris said.
Lily Hale, senior, enjoys both top roping and bouldering indoors, practicing at Boulderdash Indoor Rock Climbing in Westlake alongside her friends or with her dad. Her favorite experience top roping occurred after the gym had just put up new routes, and she was one of the first to try them out. “There was this one that a bunch of people were really struggling with, and so people [were] watching [others] try to climb it,” Hale said. “I was able to climb it first. Everyone was super supportive, and it felt really cool to be able to do it.”
Spending his weekends summiting the cliffs of Malibu, Issac Auger, junior, prefers outdoor rock climbing to climbing gyms. A new NPHS student, Auger moved to Newbury Park from Virginia this past summer, where he was first introduced to rock climbing and got equipment for Christmas. His favorite climb was one he recently completed in Virginia. “I was rock climbing a [route] right next to a really big river, and it was really fun, because a lot of people were watching me rock climb,” Auger said. “I’m glad I can inspire people to go and do rock climbing or an outdoor sport.”
For Hale and Paris, the climbing gym is a source of community. They often attend Bolderdash together and enjoy working out new routes as a pair. “I sent my first v6 [a level on the bouldering difficulty scale] with [Hale], and we were able to work on it the whole session, and do it together,” Paris said. “It was really fun, because we both got it [in] the same session, and it felt like a really big accomplishment.”
In addition to top roping, Auger hopes to explore new styles of outdoor climbing in the future. Sport climbing is when climbers clip into bolts already placed into rocks to support their climb. This differs from top roping, which requires climbers to set an anchor at the top of the rock prior to their ascent. “[Sport climbing would allow me] to just be able to go like a buddy and be able to do it that way, because it seems like more of an adventure, and it’s just a way different experience,” Auger said.
The supportive community that climbing provides Paris helps her hone and improve her skills. She enjoys the variety of skill sets present among climbers and the collaborative nature of finding the best way up a wall. “[While rock climbing] you can give people advice, but you can also learn a lot from other people in the gym,” Paris said.